Has there ever been a better time to support Dale?

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New Rochdale AFC PR man Mike Brookes has asked the question: has there ever been a better time to support Dale?

His answer: "You have to say yes if like me you are of a certain age or over. Though only very young I still remember 1969 and will remember the Harker, Smith, Ryder, etc. line up until the day that I finally expire.

"If however you weren't around in the late sixties then the answer has got to be a resounding no. There have been a few false dawns - cup runs under Terry Dolan and Paul Simpson and the side that Parkin built getting to the play-off's but can anyone recall a summer of hope and indeed expectation to rival this one?

"As the annoying chap on the TV used to say: 'lets take a look at the evidence'.

"We have a fantastic management duo who completely turned things on their head between Christmas and May producing the type of fast, flowing football that we all love. Off the pitch with fantastic backing from a re-energised Board the rest of the backroom staff are now in place, two more of them being ex-players and the squad will never have been better prepared when the season kicks off. The training facilities are improving with every day that passes and for the first time ever the squad are going away for warm weather training and bonding in July.

"By the first week in June, whilst many clubs in our division were in single figures squad wise our manager could go on a well deserved family holiday knowing that he will have at least 23 contracted players when he brings his sun tan back to Spotland. Within that squad we have a real hunger, desire, no little talent and competition for places in every position. We have a solid defence, creative midfielders and a pair of strikers that scored goals for fun in the final weeks of the season as well as substantial bids for another one on the table.

"The fans have bought into the optimism generated by the Hill revolution by digging deep to buy season tickets in record numbers, the new kit promises to be a massive seller and as one wag on a messageboard offered recently 'for once Dale fans have nothing to moan about'.

"On a lighter note the law of averages says that it should by now be our turn for a little success and what better time than our centenary season?

"Without being overly optimistic or indeed silly, we should be looking at the success that Colchester United have enjoyed in recent years. On the face of it they are not exactly a big club, without being disrespectful, their ground is certainly not as good as ours and they are not exactly placed geographically in a soccer hot bed. They have done it to the extent that they nearly made the Championship Play Off's last time around. Another question to ask is if they can why can't we?

"What we need to do now is to remain optimistic and keep totally behind the manager, his staff and his players. Keith Hill has always said what a massive part the fans can and do play. If we all continue to pull together anything is possible. Momentum is a wonderful thing. The ball is now rolling, let's get together and see it gather pace."